Blueprint Tokyo is a formidable indie rock quintet from the very depths of Oklahoma City, a group of musicians who expertly navigate the complex art of crafting soundscapes. The band creates its unique brand through a head-on collision of melodic vocals and energetic guitars, with every song driven by an unyielding rhythm section. But what makes Blueprint Tokyo stand out is their synthesisers, which create a beautiful blend of old-fashioned warmth and the cutting edge of digital music. Blueprint Tokyo released their latest musical achievement on May 1st in the form of “Dark New Days”, an EP containing six tracks. Now, let us dive into their neon-colored world to uncover the secrets of their new album.
The EP’s first song, “Orange Tiger,” begins with an energetic drum fill, followed by a slow -paced piano melody, and a guitar riff over a smooth synth pad. This song does not crawl into the room but comes in with a definite rhythm. In terms of lyrics, it addresses the apprehension felt when being “on the prowl” for success or purpose or love while at the same time being stuck because of other people’s demands. The character in the song is on a mission to find love. He describes this chase as being on the prowl like a mean tiger. Unfortunately, this character is too late or unlucky because he or she is looking in the wrong place. The music’s defining characteristic is its uplifting anthemic nature, where the vocals start with a restrained delivery in a low voice, developing into a passionate cry in the choruses. The instrumentals are rich, and the bassline acts as a counterpart to the sparkling guitar riffs, producing a sensation of exhilaration along with the knowledge that the hunt will never be over. This album’s opener was definitely a hit!
Opening the track with the sound of a dry snare hit, “Here’s your story” features a melodic, swirling synth line that appears to have emerged from a haze. With its theme focusing on a character who meets someone who’s on the run. The character lets this person know that what she wants or needs will not be provided by him. At the end of the story, it seems that the character has finally come to understand that the story of this person on the run is that, she’s damned. To prevent himself from being roped in with her, he cuts ties with her. With the singer sounding as if he or she is revealing some personal truth through his or her singing, the emotional impact of the track for the listener is immediate. As the vocals are joined by the crashing sounds of the rhythm guitar and keyboard playing a supporting role, the effect can be described as “emotional claustrophobia”. The effect for the listener is that initial shock as one discovers that the “story” one has been told does not match reality.
The first sound on “Just Repeat Myself” is a soft piano melody and an odd, mechanical bass guitar rhythm which is soon accompanied by an insistent four-on-the-floor beat. Rhythmically, it is a depiction of our endless cycles. The topic is how frustrating it can be to go through the routine of saying the same words over and over again until you think that they stop having any meaning at all. However, it doesn’t irritate the character in the song to repeat himself. He has understood that he’s with someone who is insecure and needs reassurance about his love for her. Instead of seeing It as tedious, he looks at it differently, understanding that this is his responsibility to his partner. A hallmark of a truly loving partner. Sonically, the track is extremely tight and energetic, with vocals that fit the tone of the lyrics perfectly. Vocals in this track sound quite percussive and convey the emotion behind the words flawlessly. Moreover, guitars in this composition make a significant contribution since lead guitar lines soar across the track creating the feeling of tension.
The tempo changes with “Change My Mind”, a song that starts off with an elegant, melodious melody played on the electric guitar with the faint use of reverb. The latter adds an air of openness to the track, which is the focal point of the EP. “Change My Mind” is about how love can be uplifting. Let’s be honest, being in a good relationship, and being loved right makes you feel like a superhero ready to take on anything life throws your way. The character reminds that love can give us a fresh perspective on life and on everything. It is a rather touching experience, as we can witness the use of vocals that tend to go in the direction of legendary vocals. The instruments used in this song are more ethereal and less intense as compared to other tracks, with less focus on drumming and more on orchestral-pop synth sounds.
“Art Of Betrayal” starts off hard-hitting with a heavily distorted, growling bass synth sound and a piercing guitar riff. It is the darkest song sonically on the album as it talks about the artful ways we wound those closest to us. Now in this song, the character has recognized and finally accepted that his partner is a master manipulator and has become the master in the art of betrayal. Musically, this piece is very aggressive and dynamic. Vocally, there is urgency in this song as well as defiance. Instrumentally, there is a lot going on with the music and sharp sounds. The music gets more chaotic in the chorus, just like the situation that it describes.
“Nite Valerie” is the closing track on the EP and opens with a soft electronic beat that resembles the sound of one’s heartbeat and the distant sounds of keyboard notes that are like shining lights from the city reflected upon wet pavement. The underlying theme of the song is a goodbye to someone or even to one’s old self that no longer exists. We aren’t clear on what type of goodbye the character had with Ashley. But, whether it was death or a breakup, the character in the song definitely misses Valerie and is reminiscing on the good times they had together and even tells her goodnight (nite). Musically, it is all “midnight pop” where one is presented with an aesthetic that combines elements from retro-80s music with contemporary production techniques. Vocally, the singer sings softly above a bed of synthesizers with a deep and powerful bassline accompanying. The instrumental performance gradually builds up until it seems as if one is watching a movie’s credits roll.
This pair creates songs about the strength of the human heart. Songs that exist in the grime of hanging on when life becomes too much to bear. Music that tells the story of a truth told through the process of repetition, doing nothing else but repeating an idea simply because it’s still true. And this album, their beautiful album, is about the patient, agonizing wait to see a light break through in the clouds, not out of hope, naïve hope, but from a hope that’s seen through hell and back. This EP, this fantastic EP, is dark in its sound but bright in its spirit. It’s music that speaks of beauty and pain at once. The kind of beauty that heals, the kind of pain that hurts, but only because it means something real. I’m now obsessed with their sound and can’t wait for what’s next from them.
Stream the “Dark New Days” EP on Spotify or SoundCloud
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